2023_YSNElectionGuide_p01

3 Y E L L OW S P R I NG S N EWS H H H 2 023 VOT E R’ S GU I DE H H H 2 . I bring previous experience — I served on the last search committee to find a village manager. 3 . I believe parking could lead to a little. But without seeing what the current budget is as of right now, the start could be in what projects we are spending money on. 4 . Advantages of an engaged and passion- ate community means you are receiving information you might not already have. For one, you could have an ally to help get issues solved or it may focus you more on actual effects on people’s lives by putting faces on the topic. Disadvantages are prioritizing which issue is more important, when everyone feels their issue is most impor tant. I believe each member has their issues that are most impor tant. That is why the ability to bring forth and work with other members to prioritize what can be done is important. By building coalitions, whether as a private citizen or as Village Council member, is how to get matters resolved ef fectively. BOARD OF EDUCATION There are two open seats for the Yellow Springs Board of Education. The News asked the candidates the following four questions: 1. If elected to school board, what will be your top three priorities? 2. In what areas (academic or other- wise) do you believe more focus should be aimed by the district in bolstering student engagement and success, and how would you support those areas as a board member if elected? 3. If the current facilities levy passes and district schools undergo renova- tions and new construction, how do you envision the school board support- ing the district in long-term mainte- nance of the upgraded campuses? 4. If elected, how do you plan to support the district with regard to the recently identified values of its 2023– 26 strategic plan? AMY (COR ∆ DOVA) BAILEY EXPER I ENCE : Bache- lor of Science in business manage- ment, Wright State Un i ver s i t y ; aca - demic, operations and marketing man- ager, Kaplan Test Prep and Admis- sions; practice man- ager, Bailey Animal Clinic; board member, Mills Lawn PTO; participant of the 2021 Educational Visioning Team; volunteer, Mills Lawn Extracurricular Program. BIO: I am a parent of a fifth- and sixth- grader and active volunteer within the YS community. I understand the importance of supporting our public school systems and the value they provide to enrich our community. After receiving my BS from Wright State University, I began my career providing high school and college students with national test preparation, professional train- ing and student support services. Serving six years on the Mills Lawn PTO board, volunteering for the Mills Lawn Extra Cur- ricular Program, and sitting on YS School’s Educational Visioning team are examples of my experience and support within our local district. As a veterinary practice manager for the past 13 years, I’ve furthered my finance, policy and employee management skills within the competitive veterinary science field. Question responses: 1 . All members must have healthy work- ing relationships for a board to function to its fullest potential. While transitions can be challenging, if elected, my first priority will be establishing connections and learn- ing proper individual communication tech- niques with each of my new colleagues. Secondly, teacher retention and recruit- ment are common hurdles our public edu- cation system faces. Yellow Springs is no exception. During a recent meeting with a building administrator, I was informed we once averaged 100 applicants for an open position; we now average around nine. Collaborating and establishing ways to set ourselves apart is critical. Finally, the most significant challenge facing our district is the condition of our facilities. If elected, I will ensure we work together as a unified board to provide efficient, sustainable facilities that are built to meet the needs of today’s learning envi- ronment while utilizing established shared community green spaces to their fullest potential. 2. According to our most recent State of the Schools address presented to the district this month, 30.2% of our students were chronically absent last school year. Our kids need to attend school to fulfill our commitment to educate them. It is impera- tive to address this issue while supporting our students’ mental health. Encouraging participation in extracur- ricular activities, sports and community activities allows students to avoid isolation, promote self-esteem and develop team- building skills necessary to succeed in today’s working environment. As a board member, I would proactively promote and utilize tools such as programs within the Ohio Statewide Family Engage- ment Center, which empowers students, families, caregivers, and educators to create engaging relationships with one another to support the educational success of all learners. 3 . Long-term maintenance monitoring is essential to be fiscally responsible and sustain our district’s assets. Our admin- istration recently announced they have proactively researched and purchased a software system, Brightly, that assists in managing custodial, preventive mainte- nance and capital projects. Secondly, income tax revenues fluctu- ate from year to year. When they do, the district would have three options to choose from in utilizing the additional income tax funds. Option 1 transfers our tax income surplus to reduce our millage, decreasing our property taxes. Option 2 transfers the surplus to our permanent improvement fund to tackle maintenance and minor capi- tal improvements and avoids asking voters for additional money. Option 3 transfers the surplus to the general fund to reduce the need for future operating levies. If, as a board, we agreed on Option 2, the funds would go to support the long-term mainte- nance of our upgraded campuses. 4. Our strategic plan lays the ground- work for the success of our district. It dis- plays our values, goals and serves as a com- prehensive guide to the future of our vil- lage. Our vision is unique, progressive and sets Yellow Springs apart from any other district. We value supporting a diverse and inclusive community, encourage critical thinking and positive action, educate with environmental impact in mind and utilize the arts as an integral learning tool. The key to success for our plan is building and maintaining the connection between our community and schools. If elected, I am dedicated to motivating par- ticipation and instilling pride among our students and fellow villagers while protect- ing human rights and promoting social justice. I encourage all families and com- munity members to review the strategic plan and ask themselves, “How could I also contribute to its success?” PATRICIA PETERS E X P E R I ENC E : YSHS alumna; Bachelor of Ar ts in sociology, U n i v e r s i t y o f Dayton; elementary education certifica- tion, Wright State University; special education certifica- tion, Kean College NJ; school counseling, University of Dayton; chemical dependency assistant certification, Sinclair College. Thirty-three years teaching experience in public schools. Reading volunteer at Mills Lawn School. Member of Strategic Planning Committee 2023 for YS Schools. BIO: I attendedYellowSprings Schools from K–12. I went to Mills Lawn School and then Yellow Springs High School. When I grew up in Yellow Springs, many families had a con- nection to Antioch College. Our parents either graduated from Antioch, taught at the college or were employed by the college. In my case, my father had graduated from Antioch, and chose to raise our family in Yellow Springs. After high school graduation I went to the University of Dayton to major in sociology. After graduation I did not have many job prospects in that field. I became a teacher’s aide at Mills Lawn School. I was encouraged by the Mills Lawn teachers who I worked with to become certified to teach. That began my 33-year career of being a middle school teacher and then later a special educator. Question responses: 1 . My top three priorities will be to continue the school facilities plan that was reached by consensus by the current board, implement the 2023–26 Strategic Plan, and identify the academic areas of concern as outlined in the recent five-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education. 2. One academic area that has been identi- fied that needsmore focus for student success is math. I would be supportive of the princi- pals and their staff exploring math interven- tions (programs and teaching methods) for the students to achieve more success. I would support the high school prin- cipal and his staff in advancing a “phone- free school.” Yondr pouches have been researched by the high school principal as well as in consultation with neighboring schools that have utilized them. As a former high school teacher, I have experienced how students can be distracted by their phones andnot be able to be fully engaged in learning. 3 . I would envision the school board focusing on goal three of the strategic plan, which states: “Provide a safe, comfortable and accessible learning environment.” At the same time, a comprehensive plan would need to be developed with the YS Schools building depar tment and maintenance super visor. Such a plan would include specific weekly, monthly and yearly mainte- nance schedules of the upgraded campuses. 4. I would encourage the district to empha- size the positive aspects of the school com- munity. I would continue to promote project- based learning, as it encourages our values of critical thinking, problem-solving, active inquiry and positive action. The arts and the- ater are emphasized from elementary school to high school as well as being evident in the community and college, and I would pro- mote that communitywide connection. REBECCA POTTER EXPER I ENCE : I have been a professor at the University of Dayton since 2002, graduating with a Ph.D. in literature from Brandeis Uni- versity. I served as the inaugural direc- tor of the sustain- ability program at the University of Dayton from 2017 until 2022, and this May I stepped into the role of interim executive officer for The Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions (Agraria), conclud- ing that interim position in October due to my other work obligations. BIO: A resident of Yellow Springs since 2008, I have raised two children in the village, both who have recently gradu- ated from the Yellow Springs High School (Evelyn, Class of 2020; Tahlia, class of 2022). They were actively involved in extra- curricular activities and we all enjoyed being Bulldogs. I was born in Nevada, grew up in north- ern California, lived in the Boston area as a graduate student and have also lived in Berlin and Munich. Throughout my adult life I have been committed to civic engage- ment, supporting labor, feminist and envi- ronmentalist movements. In recent years, I have served on the Village of Yellow Springs Environmental Commission and on various boards of non- profits in the area. This is a time when I can give back to the community by serving on the YS school board. Question responses: 1. My top three priorities are: • Be part of a school board that offers a bulwark against state-level mandates attempting to censor course content and undermine efforts to confront racism and bigotry; • In the face of budgetary pressures, prioritize supporting teachers to have the time, training and materials to excel in the classroom; • To build dialogue and support around key issues such as mental health, a sense of safety and supporting programs that help students thrive both in the schools and after graduation. 2. I have been very impressed and appre- ciative of The 365 Project to address edu- cational achievement gaps at our schools and proactively create an environment and culture in our schools that supports all